the-astrology-book

Azimuth
AXIAL ROTATION
Axial rotation is the turning of Earth on its axis and, by extension, the spinning
of any heavenly body on its axis. It is Earth’s daily rotation that is responsible for
the apparent motion of the Sun, Moon, planets, and stars across the sky.
AZIMUTH
One can locate a specific celestial object in several ways, most of which
involve specifying two coordinates. The azimuth is one of the coordinates of such a
system. Although the notion of azimuth is basically simple, it is not simple to explain.
Imagine that a group of people are looking at a star. From where they are standing,
they can measure the angle between the horizon and the star. This gives them one
coordinate in terms of angular distance (called the altitude, for obvious reasons).
Then imagine a geometric plane that, like some kind of gigantic wall, cuts through
Earth, intersecting the north and south poles, the place where they are standing, and
the point directly over their heads (the zenith). They then measure another angle
with their surveying instrument, this time between the imaginary wall and the star.
This angular distance gives them the azimuth.
Sources:
Filbey, John, and Peter Filbey. The Astrologer’s Companion. Wellingborough, Northamptonshire,
UK: Aquarian Press, 1986.
Gettings, Fred. Dictionary of Astrology. London: Routledge & Kegan Paul, 1985.
THE ASTROLOGY BOOK
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